Reggae dancehall performer Samini reacted to Shatta Wale on social media after the latter made fun of the #PlayGhana campaign.
The performer made fun of the movement’s founders for their desire to outlaw foreign music in Ghana.
Shatta Wale questioned the goals and viability of the #PlayGhana campaign on his official X (formerly Twitter) page shortly after the Creative Arts Agency, where Ms. Gyankromah Akufo-Addo and other campaign leaders held a press conference to dispel any misunderstandings about the initiative. He questioned in his post why proponents of the ban want to outlaw foreign music.
“How can you say you deh ban foreign music. Eeiiiiiii… We know how to Ban papa. Small time dem go ban Foos for kantamanto,” Shatta Wale’s tweet on X read.
Another post on X read; “I just woke up to tell you ,you can’t fight foreign music .Their 10% music will over-shadow the whole Ghana. Country with so much jealousy when it’s not them on the frontline. You see how poverty deh worry your artiste with nonesense suggestion .It’s poverty my guy.”
I just woke up to tell you ,you can’t fight foreign music 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Their 10% music will over-shadow the whole Ghana
Country with so much jealousy when it’s not them on the frontline 🤣😂
You see how poverty deh worry your artiste with nonesense suggestion ..
It’s poverty…
— SHATTA WALE (@shattawalegh) December 17, 2023
In response to Shatta Wale, Samini asked whether it is improper for artists to request that more locally produced content be broadcast on their channels.
He claims that the only reason Shatta Wale is upset is because he did not recommend #PlayGhana.
“Bro Lol. Ghana has become a spotlight over the last few years and this is not ending anytime soon. What’s wrong with creatives appealing for more local content on our airwaves? Who does this hurt? So if it’s not your suggestion then it’s nonsense eeh lol. Shut up I beg” Samini’s post on X read.
Bro Lol. Ghana has become a spotlight over the last few years and this is not ending anytime soon. What’s wrong with creatives appealing for more local content on our airwaves? Who does this hurt? So if it’s not your suggestion then it’s nonsense eeh lol. Shut up I beg… https://t.co/y6NQJcOLNJ
— SAMINI (@samini_dagaati) December 18, 2023
The Creative Arts Agency has encouraged music producers and Disc Jockeys (DJs) to prioritize and play local music during the festive season as part of efforts to promote and amplify the rich sounds of Ghanaian music.
To that purpose, the Creative Arts Agency, under the direction of Ms. Gyankromah Akufo-Addo, its director, launched the #PlayGhana campaign on Thursday in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of playing local music in Ghanaian homes and public spaces.
According to Ms. Akufo-Addo, playing Ghanaian music not only during this festive season but also beyond will help Ghanaian artists break through barriers and broaden their audience.
